Wouter Van Riet Paap-Tavolo Livelli Table

At Design Interviews

Interview with Wouter van Riet Paap : Frank Scott: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?. Wouter van Riet Paap : The main principle is to keep things simple yet sophisticated. The Tavolo Livelli was designed to create extra space for storage in my rather small house. And since you need a table anyway, why not use the otherways spoiled space under the table. .Frank Scott: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?. Wouter van Riet Paap : Most important was to keep the table exciting. I did this by placing the table legs under 45 degrees and cutting their front under 45 degrees again, this way all faces are exactly 25 mm in view. .Frank Scott: What are your future plans for this award winning design?. Wouter van Riet Paap : I have already created a prototype which actually functions as my own diningtable. Also, I am working with a carpenter to have the table produced, after which it will be available for purchase. .Frank Scott: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?. Wouter van Riet Paap : I have been working on it for half a year. That might seem long now, since it looks so simple. But especially the details - keeping all faces of the same thickness - and the strength toot some time. .Frank Scott: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?. Wouter van Riet Paap : This table is the direct result of my own need for a table and a shortage of space to store items like my laptop. I always like to be inspired by things/problems in my own surroundings. .Frank Scott: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?. Wouter van Riet Paap : I intent to produce my work myself, but I am open to other constructions. .Frank Scott: What made you design this particular type of work?. Wouter van Riet Paap : As an architect I am always going for designs that look simple. But in architecture, simpleness is often hard to achieve. This principle of keeping things simple is my inspiration in everything I design. Another inspiration is the fact that we spoil so much space: why not use the space under our table? .Frank Scott: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?. Wouter van Riet Paap : Not in particular. .Frank Scott: Who is the target customer for his design?. Wouter van Riet Paap : Everyone who would like to have a beautiful table. Especially those that could need some extra space to store things. .Frank Scott: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?. Wouter van Riet Paap : Simplicity combined with usefulness .Frank Scott: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?. Wouter van Riet Paap : Tavolo Livelli is Italian for layered table. Because it is a layered table and Italian sounds better than Dutch. .Frank Scott: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?. Wouter van Riet Paap : First I designed by hand and with SketchUp, later with AutoCad and 3D printing. .Frank Scott: What is the most unique aspect of your design?. Wouter van Riet Paap : The two tabletops and how they are connected through the diagonally placed legs. .Frank Scott: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?. Wouter van Riet Paap : I work with local carpenters to create the first prototypes. .Frank Scott: What is the role of technology in this particular design?. Wouter van Riet Paap : 3D printing played an important role in prototyping. .Frank Scott: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?. Wouter van Riet Paap : Not in particular. .Frank Scott: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?. Wouter van Riet Paap : Keeping the table strong without making the faces to thick. .Frank Scott: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?. Wouter van Riet Paap : I think the design is so refined that international designers recognise the effort that went into keeping it so simple. .Frank Scott: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?. Wouter van Riet Paap : Every design leads to ideas for my next design. It is an endless process. .Frank Scott: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?. Wouter van Riet Paap : No thank you .